War had come to the Solar System. The battlefield was the colony of Vikaria at the edge of the Solar System in the Kuiper Belt. The enemies of the Laverian species, the Volarkian horde, had followed the surviving remnants of Laveria to the Solar System. The Volarkians destroyed Laveria. The refugees left their old star system, in hope of a better life. The refugees had done well. They had created multiple colonies, which were thriving.
Jim had a heightened state of awareness, like lioness on the hunt in the Serengeti. Jim had not been in battles, for that he was thankful for. He was completely aware of his surroundings. The enemy could be anywhere. The harbingers of doom for his dad’s home planet.
Jim and Randy were wearing standard battle armor. It covered their entire bodies, which were composed with plates of armor, like a medieval knight, or a swat police officer. Jim’s was green as algae and as blue as the ocean. Randy was wearing a battlesuit like Jim. He also had on a helmet to breathe. They were outside of the base. The city was in ruins without an atmosphere to breathe, the dome had been destroyed by the battles against Laverian society.
The colony was built on jagged shards of ice. Pluto was the frozen tundra on steroids. The roads were not paved. The buildings were made of stone. Some were made of Hevarian steel. Ice mountains dwelled in the background.
Vikaria was evacuated a year ago around the time of Founder’s day, a Laverian holiday celebrating the beginning of Laverian civilization. On patrol in Vikaria, he was actually in a warzone, monitoring the battlefield with his friend Randy. His gauntlet started beeping. Pressing a button on his gauntlet, Jim answered the call from his father.
“This is Protaru Tenu Attenu.”
“Protaru. It is Bladefist.”
“Hey, Bladefist.”
“We got to get you a codename.”
“Why?”
“All Protaru have a codename. It is part of the culture.”
“Why now?”
“You have been training for six years now. That is a lot of time.”
“I don’t have an answer for a codename yet.”
“Think about it and get back to me.”
“Will do.”
“I really called you for an update on your progress on the battlefield. How is the perimeter sweep going?”
“We have no enemy combatants spotted.”
“Finish your sweep and return to base.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jim ended the call.
“I am tired and exhausted, Jim.”
“I am pretty tired myself.”
“I just want to get back to base and take a shower.”
“I feel that.”
“What are you going to do when we get home?”
“I am going to spend some time talking with Anna.”
“I wish I could see Helena.”
“There is always video chat.”
Just then, Randy’s gauntlet got a beep.
“You might want to answer that,” said Jim.
“Hold your horses.”
Randy checked to see who was calling. He felt like a light had been turned on in a dark room. Randy pressed a button on the side of his gauntlet.
“Randy?”
“Hey, babe.”
“I have some news for you.”
“I am going with my father to Natonia. The Council members of New Laveria are meeting there with Councils of the other colonies to discuss the war. I should have a few hours free. I should be leaving Vikaria with my father tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I haven’t seen you in months and I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“This war has drained us.”
“I know it has.”
“I was talking to Anna. She is a healer in training at New Laveria. She is doing some of her residency hours at a viasoro in Natonia. I was in Natonia with her. My father had to get a status update from the generals in Vikaria.”
“I know that Anna is a healer.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool. Maybe we could do a double date.”
“What?”
“Jim could meet with Anna and I could meet with you.”
“What made you suggest this?”
“We had so much fun the last time we hung out. Anna is a childhood friend of mine. I know she loves Jim. I love you. It would be so fun. I just want to enjoy myself during these dark times.”
“I understand.”
“Let me get her on the line.”
“You want to do a conference call?”
“Exactly.”
“Okay. Just so you know, Jim is right beside me.”
“Even better.”
Jim said, “Let’s finish our parameter sweep so we can head back to base.”
Randy answered, “I could not agree with you more, Jim.”
Jim and Randy walked through the streets of Vikaria. All of a sudden, Jim detected five bio-signatures on the visor of his suit lighting up like Christmas trees. He knew that no other Laverian troops were in the vicinity. Jim’s awareness was like a deer hearing nearby footsteps on grass.
Jim said, “Randy, you got to end that call.”
“Really, why?”
“We have some hostile signatures.”
“I will call you back, Helena.”
“Really. Why?” asked Helena.
“Duty calls.”
“Okay. I love you, Randy.”
“I love you more.”
Randy pressed a button on the top of his gauntlet, ending the call, and got into a low crouch.
Jim got on his gauntlet communicator.
“This is Protaru Tenu Attenu. We have found several Volarkian combatants on the corner of Walso and Cibriana.”
“Back up is coming.”
“What do you want us to do?”
“Observe. Do not engage.”
“I hear you loud and clear, Command.”
Jim crawled closer. Randy was on his left.
“What are they looking for?” asked Randy in a soft whisper.
Softly, Jim answered, “I don’t have a clue.”
They were all in red uniforms with tunics that looked like ninjas. The garments were as red as a robin’s breast.
Jim jumped to a rooftop to get a better view. Two were standing guard and the other three were searching the building. One found a tablet that looked ten years old. He pulled out a stick the size of a thumb drive and placed it into the slot. The thumb drive went green.
He was speaking a different language.
“Loc su adobriota. Cannoc trebossai.”
Jim started recording the conversation.
“Blio. Blio!”
The other warriors left the building and departed in a hover-carriage, an armored vehicle used for transporting people and supplies.
When the coast was clear, Randy and Jim walked into the building. Jim picked up the tablet.
“This is coming with us.”
“Why? It is just an outdated tablet. It looks like it was made in 2014.”
“If the Volarkians want it, it could be of major importance.”
“Leave it.”
“No. I am not leaving it.”
Just then two more Protaru vehicles showed up.
Missile, one of the friends of Jim’s father and Sam, a buddy of Jim and Randy, stepped on the Plutonian soil. Missile was wearing a regular Laverian military outfit, a suit made of blue and green plates. Sam was in white plated battle suit with yellow electricity concentrated in the shoulders and arms.
“Are you guys okay?” asked Sam.
“We are fine,” said Jim.
“That must have been scary.”
“It was downright terrifying,” said Randy.
Sam said, “We got transportation for you to head back to base.”
Jim said, “Okay, Sam.”
“That’s Volt Wing.”
“Volt Wing.”
“Yeah. I just finished my hours, so I am a full fledged Protaru.”
“Good for you.”
“Way to rub it in our faces,” said Randy.
“Well maybe if you didn’t spend so much time with your girlfriends, you would be Protaru, instead of Protaru Tenu.”
“At least we have girlfriends,” said Randy.
“Touché.”
Jim and Randy got in the back of the hover transport, which looked like an Armored Personnel Carrier. They were back at the base in about twenty minutes. They phased through the barrier. It was parked in the main garage. The garage was as big as an airplane hangar, with about twenty vehicles stationed there. The frame of the garage was dark brown, almost bronze. The girders on the roof looked like steel. The ground was filled with gray rubble. He left the garage through the front door, walking out into the open base.
Jim was as calm as a basketball player shooting a free throw for the thousand time. He settled into his life here.
Jim walked over to tech services. He entered the tent. There was a man sitting at a desk with a soldering iron and several computer chips. He walked up to the man.
“Hello,” said Jim.
“How can I help you?” asked the technician.
“I wanted you to analyze the contents of this tablet.”
“Really? Why?”
“I think it might have important information on it. The Volarkians stuck a data stick inside of it. They were searching for information. There was something on the drive that they wanted to know. I want to know who or what the information is.”
“I am kind of busy.”
“No rush.”
“Give me a few days.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“I also recorded a speech from Volarkian infantry members.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Play it.”
Jim replayed the recording.
The technician replied, “I don't know what they are saying.”
Jim answered, “That whomps.”
“Leave the sample with me. I am sure someone will figure it out.”
Jim synched the recording to the technician’s terminal. The technician would plug the data into a language analyzing app.
Jim dropped off the tablet and walked back to his quarters. He was no longer living in a shoebox. He was sharing a room with twenty other Protaru Tenu. In some ways, it was worse than his old room in New Laveria. When he was back to the asteroid, he would get back to the small room he was accustomed to staying in. He walked back to his bed. He grabbed his computer from underneath his bunk bed, which was on the bottom and Randy was on the top.
It was time to journal.
“It has been three months since I last saw Anna. I miss her so much. I long for her. She is my sunrise on the darkest day. I get so lost inside her eyes. I hope to see her soon. Randy and I just finished our patrol of the perimeter. There was something suspicious about the Volarkians we saw today. I think they are up to something. I don’t know exactly what. I will stop them. Me and my brothers in arms. I hope to see Anna real soon.”
“I cannot wait until this tour is over. I have been here for what seems like forever. It will end. I will see Anna again soon. She will be in my arms. I am sure of it. My life. My path.”
Bladefist said, “Lights out!”
“You heard the man,” said Randy.
The room became dark. Jim closed his laptop and put it under his bed. Jim tried to get some sleep.
He woke up the next morning refreshed. He hopped in the shower and then put on some clothes. He walked to the mess hall, grabbing some food to eat before the big adventure.
He scooped a generous helping of vegan eggs and four slices of vegetarian bacon. He sat by his friends, Sam and Randy.
“What’s going on?” said Sam.
“Not much,” replied Randy.
Jim said, “I know the councils for each colony are meeting today on Triton in the colony of Natonia.”
“Oh, really?” said Sam.
“Yep.”
“Hopefully, we can see our girlfriends.”
“Oh, yeah. Did you ever reconnect with Helena?”
“Yes I did.”
“Great! What did she say?”
“We should have some free time while her dad is at the conference.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“I think she even talked to Anna.”
“My Anna.”
“Yes, Jim.”
“What did Anna say?”
“Anna is gonna meet us when she is done with her shift.”
“That sounds freaking amazing!”
“Slow down, Cowboy.”
“Sorry.”
“It is okay.”
“I just get so excited when it comes to Anna.”
“I totally understand. How do you think I feel about my baby, Helena?”
“I know exactly how you feel.”
“I don’t doubt that, old friend.”
“We have been friends for six years.”
“I know, right?”
“It seems like yesterday.”
“You ain’t lying about that.”
“Did you ever think we would ever make it this far?”
“I never doubted it.”
“I had my doubts.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, we have both come a long way.”
“So true.”
“We still have a long way to go.”
“That is also very true.”
“I don’t doubt we can get there.”
“You are right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“It is okay, old friend.”
Jim ate his food. His dad walked over to his table.
“When you are done eating, I need to talk to you,” said Jim’s father.
Jim responded, “Okay. Sure thing.”
Jim’s father walked away.
“What was that about?” asked Randy.
“I think he wants me to be a councilman's personal Protaru.”
“Really?” asked Randy
Jim said, “Yep. I am going to have to ask him for shore leave if he doesn’t assign me to protect a councilman.”
“I am guarding Helena’s dad.”
“You are?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.”
“Look at you two big shots!” said Sam.
“I don’t know about that,” said Jim.
Randy said, “It really isn’t that big of a deal.”
Sam answered, “Bullshit.”
“Please, you are over-exaggerating.”
Sam replied, “A bodyguard. I wish I could pull that kind of detail.”
Jim mentioned, “You are already a full fledged Protaru. What do you have to complain about?”
“Being a Protaru is great, but I want more. I want to do more. I want to end this war. I want to stop the Volarkians dead in their tracks.”
“Wow,” said Jim.
“Really?” said Randy.
“Yeah. Really.”
Jim said, “I think you will get that chance. You will stop them.”
Randy added, “Yeah, don't give up on your dream.”
Sam said, “Thanks, buddy.”
“What am I? Chopped liver.”
“You are a good friend too, Jim.”
Jim finished his food. He walked to his dad’s office. Knocking on the door, Jim’s dad was alerted to his son’s presence.
“You may enter,” replied his father.
“Thanks.”
Jim entered the threshold.
“You wanted to see me sir?”
“Ah, yes. Command has been satisfied with your progress.”
“Thanks, I am honored by the compliment.”
“They think you are ready for the next step.”
“Being?”
“You are going to be on guard duty.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Awesome.”
“You must have seen this coming.”
“I had an inkling.”
“When do I start?”
“You are starting in three hours. You and Protaru Tenu Paterson are the Personal Protaru for Councilman Jeferoso. This comes from New Laverian Command. This is a privilege and an honor. Don’t take this lightly.”
“I won’t.”
“Report to the docks in 2 and a half hours. He will be waiting for you there.”
“Thanks.”
“Congrats and good luck. May the Creator be with you.”
“And you as well.”
Jim walked out of his dad’s office. He was excited as a kid in a candy store. It was awesome. His life was awesome. He was right. Him and Randy were going to be the personal Protaru for Helena’s dad. He felt he finally had a chance to prove himself. He opened a transmission to Randy.
“Hello?” said Randy.
“Hey, buddy.”
“What’s up?”
“I got some news to tell you.”
“Well, spill the tea.”
“I am joining you as a bodyguard!”
“Awesome!”
“My ship has come in.”
“I know that is right.”
“We depart soon.”
“I heard.”
“I have to get ready.”
“I feel you.”
“I will see you again.”
“10-4 buddy.”
“Goodbye.”
“Later.”
The transmission dropped. He connected to someone else.
“Hey, handsome,” said Anna.
“Morning, beautiful.”
“What have you been up to?”
“Going out on patrol. How are you doing?”
“I am pretty much done with my classes. Now I just have to fulfill my hours as a certified healer. I am going on a break.”
“Cool. I can’t wait to see you in a few hours.”
“Me too.”
“I have not seen you in so long.”
“I know. It has been months.”
“I can’t wait to have you in my arms.”
“Ditto.”
“I gotta get ready for the trip. I will talk to you when I reach Natonia.”
“Okay.”
“Bye lovely.”
“Bye, babe.”
The call ended.
Pressing a button on his gauntlet, he walked to the room he stayed in. He saw Sam and Randy. They were standing around talking.
Sam said, “The war has begun.”
Randy replied, “I know.”
Additionally Sam said, “We are Laveria’s last hope.”
To which Randy answered, “I agree.”
Sam mentioned, “We are all that is standing in the way of New Laveria’s destruction.”
“Way to bring the positivity guys,” said Jim.
“Oh, hey, Jim.”
“Hey Sam. Hey Randy.”
“It’s Volt Wing.”
"No one is around. It is just us.”
“Okay. You get a pass.”
“Why thanks.”
“No problem.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“I wasn’t.”
“I will try to call you Volt Wing from now on.”
“Why thank you.”
“No problem.”
A few hours passed and Jim and Randy met their protection detail. Helena’s dad was standing right in front of them. Helena was already on the ship. Randy, seeing her through a window, waved at her.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Councilman,” said Randy.
“Present.”
Randy answered, “We are your security detail.”
“I feel safer already.”
Randy said, “New Laverian Command gave us orders to protect you. That is exactly what we are going to do.”
“Thank you for your duty and dedication.”
“No problem.”
They walked into the transport.
Randy went to sit by his girlfriend. He felt like a runner after a long jog, endorphins running through him. Helena was wearing a dress, black with white bars scattered across it, which came down to her knees. She was also wearing a winter jacket that was beige as tapioca. She had dishwater blonde hair and dark green eyes that pierced through him like daggers. She had a lean build, looking like an Olympic relay runner. Her complexion was like sand. Randy took Helena’s hand. They were one. Randy was complete, feeling like a person who had finished eating Thanksgiving dinner. Walking on the transport and sitting down in the common area, Jim got a call on his gauntlet which was connected wirelessly to his personal phone. Jim saw the caller on his holographic display.
Jim answered “Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey babe.”
“I should be in Natonia in a few hours.”
“Great!”
“I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me either.”
“I am going to let you go.”
“Okay.”
“I love you and will see you soon.”
“You too.”
“Goodbye. And may the Creator be with you.”
“You as well.”
There was very little room in the common area of the ship. It was about 120 square feet with four chairs in the space. The engine was at the back of the ship. Vents for oxygen were at the top of the compartment with long tempered glass windows on each side of the cabin. The chairs were bolted to the floor, and each had the look of an office desk chair. The cushion for the back and bottom were as soft as a feather. The cockpit was at the front of the ship, with only one pilot necessary for the trip, but two pilots were possible.
Jim was in protector mode now, like a security guard on the nightwatch. Randy was vigilant as well, but he was mostly talking to Helena.
It was a short enough ride for two music playlists to be played. Chilax and Amazing were the playlists Jim chose to listen to. The wireless capabilities of his armor were amazing. He put his head on the window, looking out into the faceless abyss.
The final song on Amazing, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran ended. He saw the dome. The spacecraft docked in the Natonia space docks. He opened up a comm channel with Natonia Command.
“This is Protaru Tenu Attenu. I have just arrived with New Laverian Councilman Jeferso. I am requesting a transport to the meeting site.”
“The Natonia command hears you loud and clear, Protaru Tenu. We will arrive in two minutes. Stay tight.”
“Thank you, Command.”
Randy got on his comm gauntlet to talk to New Laveria.
“New Laveria. Come in, New Laveria.”
“We hear you, Protaru Tenu Paterson.”
“We have safely arrived at Natonia.”
“Thanks for the good news.”
“My partner has got in contact with the Local Protaru. We are waiting for the escort to the meeting.”
“Thanks for the update.”
“We will drop him at the Natonia municipal building.”
“Once you do that, you have permission to take a break.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That meeting is going to be for three hours. You can go on break. The building is one of the most protected buildings in Natonia, possibly the entire Solar System. Enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks, Command!”
“No problem, but get ready to escort him back to the Spaceport when they are finished.”
“Not a problem.”
“You won’t have to escort him back to New Laveria either.”
Randy developed a feeling of confusion, swelling up inside of him like a newly inflated balloon.
“Really? Why?”
“Bladefist and SilverSkin have volunteered.”
“Cool.”
“Get going. May the Creator be with you.”
“Thanks, Command. You as well.”
Randy ended the transmission.
Moments later, there was an armored hover-carriage standing in front of them. The vehicle looked like a bronze Abrams tank mixed with an Armored Personnel Carrier a swat team would use. A Protaru stepped out of the driver’s cab. Wearing blue and white armor, the colors of the Natonian flag.
“Did someone request a form of transportation?” asked the Natonian warrior.
“We did,” said Jim.
Randy said, “We are here to deliver a New Laverian Council member to the summit.”
“That’s what we are here for,” answered Jim.
“Get on in,” said the Protaru.
Jim and the others crowded into the armored vehicle. Randy sat by Helena. Helena’s dad sat by Jim across from his daughter and Randy. Helena’s dad was wearing a tunic with the color being that of the sky at sunset. He was wearing black khaki pants underneath the top. His complexion was around the shade of a cinnamon stick. He was very gaunt, so his body was a pencil.
The inside of the hovercraft was divided into two parts, the front where the driver sat with an extra seat beside the driver, and a back, with a sitting arrangement like a stage coach from the wild west. There were two rows of seats both facing each other, looking more like loveseats one would find in a contemporary living room. The fabric was the color of dried blood.
“Here we go,” said the Natonian Protaru.
The transport began moving. Jim could feel the chill in the air. There was less heat than New Laveria or Vikaria. Jim could see Helena’s breath. They phased through the dome and now were on an ice road.
The driver said, “We should be there soon,”
“Thanks for the update,” said Randy.
Jim could only think about Anna. He had talked to her twice today. The love of his life. His sunrise on the darkest day.
Within ten minutes they were in another dome. Five minutes after that, the vehicle was at the municipal building.
“We have arrived,” said the driver.
“Thanks,” said Jim.
The passengers stepped out of the vehicle. Jim and Randy, the councilman’s bodyguards, walked up the steps to the towering structure. Jim was amazed by the size of the municipal building. The impressive features of stone and metal.
Stoneskin was standing at the top of the stairs. He looked attentive and ready for action.
“Thank you, Protaru Tenu, for delivering the councilman safely. We will take it from here.”
“Are you sure?” asked Jim.
“You heard the man!” said Randy.
“Okay.”
“Remember to report back here in three hours.”
“Yes sir!”
With that, Councilman Jeferso disappeared behind the closed doors.
“We got free time!” exclaimed Randy.
“I know that is right,” said Jim.
“Now to change out of these parts of armor.”
“I am just going to take my helmet off.”
“Suit yourself.”
Randy deactivated his body armor, contracting it into a bracelet. He was wearing street clothes underneath, a red jacket, a brown pair of cargo pants, and green sneakers .
Jim said, “I have to call Anna.”
Helena said, “I already called her. She is going to meet us at the Four Spoons.”
“Helena for the win!” said Jim.
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
“You are amazing!” said Randy.
“Thanks, babe.”
Helena and Randy kissed. Jim got a little queasy.
“Get a room, you two!”
“Up yours!” said Randy.
“Touché”
“Where is this restaurant, the Four Spoons?” asked Jim.
“It is nearby. Five blocks that way,” said Helena, pointing left.
“Let’s start walking,” said Randy.
Jim said, “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
The trio walked the icy streets of Natonia. The city looked like an Alaskan frontier town. There weren’t many people on the streets. It was midday. The dome kept some of the heat, but it was so cold on the moon of Triton. Jim could barely feel the nerves in his hands. They reached their destination in ten minutes. Helena and the two warriors in training walked into the diner. Anna was sitting at a booth on the far left of the room. She waved at them.
There she was. He could get lost inside of her eyes. He thanked the Creator for blessing him with a woman, a partner, like Anna. Her presence lightened up the room, like a candle on a dark winter night.
The walls of the diner were the color of a blue midday sky. The table was the color of a dime. The booth and the bench, which Anna was sitting at, were dark red as dried blood.
Jim and the others walked to the table that Anna was sitting at.
“Did you order yet?” asked Jim.
“No, silly. I was waiting for you.”
“Okay babe.”
Jim sat at the booth right by Anna, with Randy and Helena sitting opposite them. Jim interacted with the holographic menu displayed on the table. It beamed like a flashlight. He was looking at the food choices. It functioned like a touchscreen, using a swipe to navigate the pages.
“They have quite a selection,” said Jim.
“I know, right,” said Randy.
“My dad would always take me and my family here when we come to town as kids,” mentioned Helena.
“I love the food in this diner,” said Anna.
“I have never been here,” said Jim.
“You are from Earth,” said Anna.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I meant no offense.”
“Okay, babe.”
He pressed the holographic menu and ordered a Gavarian fowl burger.
“I know what I am getting,” said Jim.
“Oh, really,” said Randy.
“Yep!”
“That’s great, honey.” said Anna.
“What are you getting?” asked Jim.
Anna said, “I am getting pasta Butanesco.”
“And what about you?”
Helena said, “I am buying Laverian Turkey chili.”
Jim said, “Good choice. Good choice.”
“And you, Randy?”
“Oscerian strip steak with Blocovu.”
Jim answered, “I love Blocovu.”
Randy said, “It’s on the menu.”
“I think I might order that myself.”
“Go right ahead.”
“I’ll do it. Thanks, Randy.”
“Not a problem”.
Jim made a slight change to his order. He put Blocovu on his order.
They all put their orders in.
Jim was getting excited, his food was cooking, and he was basking in the greatness that was Anna Juliana Harkavy. The warmth that he felt was like the summer sun. He deserved it. His life had been tumultuous, but when Anna was around him, the seas calmed. There was no raging storm, no typhoon. Just peace, like the sky after a rainstorm.
“So what have you been up to?” asked Jim to Anna.
“You know. The usual stuff.”
“Like?”
“We talk every day.”
“I know. Humor me.”
“I get up and go to a practicum for healers in the morning.”
“What is that for?” asked Jim.
“We discuss our clinic rotation and what goes on during my clinic hours. In the afternoon, I do my clinic hours. I get home and watch my brother until my parents are off work. Then I return to my apartment…”
“Our apartment,” said Helena.
“You guys live together?” asked Jim.
Anna said, “Yeah.”
“When did this happen?” asked Jim
Anna replied, “Around the time you left for Vikaria.”
“So around three months.”
“Yeah.”
An air of surprise washed over Jim, like waves at the beach.
Jim said, “I had no idea.”
“After I come home to our apartment, I make food and get ready for the next day.”
Randy said, “I remember you telling me that you and Helena are in Healer school together.”
“Yeah, we are,” said Anna.
“It is so fun,” said Helena.
“Yeah. I feel like I am making a difference,” said Anna.
Helena replied, “My dad wanted me to get into government or law, but I chose a different path. I chose this path.”
“You were telling me that,” said Randy.
“Was he upset at first?” added Randy.
“Most definitely.”
“He is okay with it now, right?” asked Anna.
“He is warming up to the situation.”
“That is good.”
A hovering silver robot delivered the food to the table. It had four arms attached to his body like an octopus, each carrying a tray that had a meal for Jim and the others.
“Let’s pray,” said Randy.
“But I am so hungry,”
Anna tapped Jim in the bicep.
“Jim!”
“Sorry.”
Randy said, “Thank you, our Creator, for this food. Let it nourish and replenish us. Amen.”
Jim grabbed the burger with both hands. It had Natonian lettuce, which was teal instead of green, and yellow tomatoes on top of the patty. As he bit into the sandwich, he was taken back to the Founders’s day celebration he attended with his father’s side of his family. The burger was a collection of fireworks in his mouth.
Helena was going through her Laverian Turkey chili. She had oyster crackers on the side. Anna’s food was a creamy masterpiece, covered in a dark orange sauce and filled with linguine noodles with cherry tomatoes sprinkled throughout the dish.
Randy’s meal was massive. He was served a short knife made of light to cut through the meat.
“How is your food?” asked Jim.
“Delicious,” said Randy.
“How about you, babe?” asked Jim.
“I love these noodles.”
“Great,” said Jim.
“And you, babe?” asked Randy.
“I love the texture of this chili.”
“Awesome,” replied Randy.
They continued eating their food. It felt like comfort food, or like wearing a comfortable sweater on a cold, windy day. When it came time for the bill, Jim paid for himself and Anna, and Randy and Helena paid for their portions separately.
“Thank you for your patronage,” displayed the payment terminal.
The foursome walked out of the Four Spoons. Now on the city streets of Natonia, Randy checked the time.
“Do we have to be back soon?” asked Jim.
“I was just checking that,” said Randy.
“Good thinking. I knew I liked you for a reason.”
“Why thanks, buddy.”
“Well?”
“We have another hour and a half.”
“That’s plenty of time.”
They began walking in the direction of the municipal building. Jim felt a giant push into the wall. He became disoriented. He remembered being dizzy. He saw only black for two minutes.
When he regained consciousness, he felt being dragged. Someone was pulling him to safety. He looked up. Randy was carrying Helena in his arms. He was in front of him. He stopped moving. He saw Anna standing over him.
“Baby, you are going to be okay,” said Anna in a distressed voice.
He stared down at his chest. He had a piece of debris impaled underneath his ribcage.
Randy said, “Quiet!”
He raised his hands to his mouth.
Anna removed the chunk of debris.
“Aww!” yelled Jim.
Anna said to Jim, “This might sting.”
Jim was fading in and out of consciousness. At first he felt a burn, then it was warmth, like a hot compress on a stinging cut. He could feel his energy returning. He was becoming more alert. He was now feeling energized. When he became conscious again, he saw green, glowing energy over the area where he was impaled.
There was a hand on top of Jim’s chest. The sunrise. His sunrise.
He sat up, fully healed. Just then, several creatures made of crimson energy came to the alley. They grabbed Helena and Anna.
“Bring them both.”
Randy was unconscious from the attack of the energy creatures.
“Jim!” screamed Anna.
There were two remaining in the alley. Jim stood up from the ground. As they began firing energy at him, Jim absorbed the energy form of the Volarkian brutes, so they became one with Jim’s body. Jim saw that his armor on his chest had melted. He checked the pulse of Randy.
Still alive.
Jim raced after Anna. He activated a scanner, which was looking for energy signatures. He saw a hovering vehicle that was a mix between a helicopter and a tank.
He ran after the transport. He saw two Volarkian infantry members in the cargo bay, a pilot, and two civilians. Both women.
Jim got on his comms.
“Protaru Tenu Attenu in need of assistance! Requesting assistance!”
“We have your location, Protaru Tenu. Help is on the way.”
The closer he got, the better he saw the hostages. They were clear as day.
“Jim!”
Anna.
She looked terrified as someone who had awakened from a nightmare.
Jim shot a beam from each hand to give himself a boost of verticality. He had never tried a move like that before. At that moment, he wished he could fly. He jumped on to the building and started gaining speed. He was not a speedster, but was running at full speed. The scarlet energy coursing through his body gave him the stamina to pursue the Volarkian horde. He was a cheetah going after a gazelle. He jumped from building to building, gaining ground with each step. He was using the absorbed energy from the energy creatures to keep up with Anna’s captors.
He finally jumped from the rooftop to the hovercraft, hovering like the Bat from The Dark Knight Rises. He blasted the first combatant out of the vehicle. The second one was pulling out a knife. He did something that he thought was impossible. A small amount of yellow energy fell from his elbow to the tip of his fingers, forming a straight edge.
He attacked the combatant, using the straight edge to protect himself. The combatant went for his chest, but Jim deflected the attack with ease. Jim was in full warrior mode like a martial artist at a tournament. He had to stop this guy. He kicked but the enemy dodged. The enemy swung and Jim deflected. This was a battle Jim had to win.
They were now on the outskirts of the city. Jim attacked but his enemy defended himself. Jim fired an enormous wave of green energy at the pilot. The hovercraft descended from the air.
“They are coming with me. The Volarkian horde will rise again,” said Jim’s enemy.
The enemy charged at Jim. Jim charged forward, blasting a hole in the enemy chest.
The hovercraft crashed. Jim was in shock, and he gathered his surroundings. Jumping off the hovercopter, Jim saw that Helena was okay. Helena was knocked from the hovercraft before it hit the ground. She was conscious, with a cut above her eye and a few scratches on her knees. Jim could hear the Protaru sirens coming in the distance.
The pilot was dragging Anna away from the crash site.
“Let me go!” yelled Anna.
“The Volarkian Grand Commander has plans for you.”
Just then, he ran away from the crash site and straight after Anna. Anna kicked the Volarkian in the crouch and ran into an alley.
“Come here, girly!”
Jim saw Anna’s location and the pilot.
Anna was behind a garbage dumpster. The pilot found her and dragged her. He opened up what looked like a wormhole.
“Your capture is going to give me a promotion. I will live on as the savior of the Volarkian horde.”
“Just let me go! I won’t tell anyone.”
“You are just too important to Grand Commander Klaris.”
Just as the pilot was going to force Anna through the wormhole, a pebble of green energy went through the back of the pilot’s head. He dropped to his knees.
Anna dropped to her knees, crying and screaming. Anna saw someone walking up to her. At first she was frightened as a bunny trying to escape a predator. When she saw who it was, she relaxed.
“Jim!”
“Anna.”
“You found me!”
“I will find you in a thousand lifetimes.”
Jim walked up to her and picked her up. He carried her to the street. The portal closed behind him.
Seeing the plethora of Protaru flooding the street, Jim deactivated his body armor. It was pretty much ruined. He felt safe. Jim saw his cousin stepping down from an EMT hover-carriage.
“Hey cuz,” said Benjamin.
“How are you?”
“I am fine. You?”
“I am okay. I have been better. Could you check out my girlfriend?”
“I am fine, Jim.”
“Come on, babe. You need to be looked at.”
“I am okay.”
“I am Benjamin Roxio. Nice to meet you.”
“I am Anna. Anna Harkavy.”
Helena was being checked out by healers. He saw Randy on a stretcher.
“Jim, you can put me down. I am okay.”
“The Volarkians just tried to kidnap you and Helena. So, no, I am not letting you out of my sight.”
Just then the street was bombarded by New Laverian hovertanks.
Bladefist, Silverskin and other high ranking Protaru arrived on the scene. Bladefist came over to Jim and Anna.
“Benji, thank you,” said Jim’s father.
“No problem, Bladefist.”
Silverskin said, “Lock down this colony. I don’t want anything to move. I want to know how the hell a unit of Volarkians got into Natonia. Bring the tech crews. I want an analysis done and on my desk by tomorrow.”
“Benji, Anna, Jim, I need you to come with me,” said Bladefist.
“Why?” asked Jim.
“Yeah. What is so important?” asked Anna.
“The future of Laverian society might depend on it.”
“Okay.”
Jim, with Anna still in his arms, walked to the EMT hover-carriage and dropped her inside. Helena was sitting beside Randy. Benji activated his healing powers, healing Randy.
“Thank you,” said Helena.
Bladefist and Randy’s dad, Sliverskin, were in the cab of the vehicle.
Randy woke up.
“Morning, babe,” said Helena.
“I fell asleep.”
“Yes, you did.”
Helena said, “Jim saved us.”
“Yes, he did,” said Anna.
Silverskin said, “I think you all deserve an explanation.”
Anna said, “Yeah, we do.”
“Why did the Volarkian horde want Anna so badly?” asked Jim.
“Isn’t it obvious?” answered Bladefist.
A light bulb had just turned on in Jim’s head.
“Her powers.”
“Yes, son.”
Anna said, “The pilot said my capture would make him famous.”
Jim said, “I took him out.”
“Yes, you did.”
“There is something you need to know.”
“What, Dad?” said Jim.
“The Volarkians are dying. Years of experimenting with ability modifications. Their attempts to amplify their powers.”
“Dying?”
“What does that have to do with me?” asked Anna.
“Your powers are some of the most powerful and rare in the universe.”
“What?”
“You have the power to heal.”
Jim said, “I know. She healed me after the first attack. I had no idea she had powers.”
“My dad is a Protaru medic.”
Silverskin said, “The Harkavy clan has always been healers.”
“So you have healing powers from your father?”
“Yes, Jim.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
Bladefist said, “She was under orders to keep them a secret. I didn’t even know until today.”
“Why?” asked Jim.
“Anna is not just a regular healer.”
“What?”
“I am not.”
Benji said, “I can see radiation beaming off of you.”
“What does that mean?”
“You don’t just absorb energy anymore,” said Benji.
“What are you talking about?”
Benji answered, “You can create energy. I can heal injuries, but my powers stop there.”
“I can do what?”
Jim was so confused, like a fourth grader who didn’t study for a math test.
Benji said, “Try it.”
Jim replied, “Quit yanking my coins.”
“Just humor me.”
“Okay, Benji.”
Jim created a small amount of green energy on the end of his index finger.
“What is happening to me?”
“I think when Anna healed you, her healing energy enhanced your powers. She gave you new abilities.”
“I am an ability enhancer.”
“What?”
“I have had this power for three years. It is the reason why I became a healer.”
Jim felt like he was hit by a ton of bricks.
“If the Volarkians found her, she would be dissected, and they would use her power to make themselves the strongest in the universe.”
“So the Volarkians wanted Anna for her powers.”
“Yes,” said Bladefist.
“What are you doing here, Dad?” asked Jim.
“Remember the tablet you gave to technical services back on Vikaria?”
“Yeah?”
“I got the results of the search. They were looking for a roster of medical personnel. They are searching for healers.”
“He told me it would be a few days.”
“I guess he got caught up and had a few hours to analyze the device.”
Silverskin added, “What really broke the camel’s back was the recording that you gave to the technician.”
“The recording?” asked Jim
Silverskin said, “Yeah. The dialect was ancient Laverian.”
“What?” asked Jim.
Silverskin answered, “Laverian military intelligence thought that the Volarkians were alien oppressors. They all have the same powers.”
“But?”
“Military intelligence now believes that The Volarkian horde is an ancient race of Laverians. They left Laveria millennia ago.”
“So the Volarkians are actually Laverians?”
“Yes son,” said Bladefist.
“That is crazy,” said Jim.
Jim felt like he was hit by a ton of bricks from a dump truck. All the pieces were falling together.
Bladefist said, “The area on Vikara was in a medical clinic. I told Sliverskin, my commanding officer, so he gave me orders to join him on Natonia.”
“Anna is a rare medical anomaly. The last time Laveria had a medical enhancement healer was around the time Laveria was destroyed. The Volarkian had rounded up healers, hoping for an end to their affliction.”
Jim said, “You weren’t born on Laveria?”
“Jim, I am your age.”
Silverskin said, “We evacuated as many people as we could. The healer stayed behind on the planet and died with the remaining citizens that were on the planet's surface. The Volarkians destroyed Laveria after we didn’t cave in to their demands of surrendering our healing Vectars.”
Bladefist mentioned, “Now they are back.”
“They won’t stop until they have Anna.”
Jim replied, “That is not going to happen.”
“I know, son.”
“They had advanced weaponry and creatures made out of energy.”
“Crimson energy.”
“Yes.”
“Those energy creatures are how they overwhelmed our forces.”
“Continue.”
Bladefist said, “I had just become a Protaru. My dad had died a few years prior. When we knew we were going to lose the planet, the Central Command gave the order to evacuate civilians. We couldn’t save everyone. Billions died. I wanted to kill every last one of those Volarkian scumbags. As a good warrior, I followed orders. I helped with the evacuations. I came to this solar system. I helped us rebuild here. We made contact with Earth. We became allies with the United States, and the United Nations. I came to Earth, joined the military. Became a consultant. You were born.”
Silverskin said, “Your powers are very rare too.”
Jim’s head cleared up like the sun rising after a foggy night.
BladeFist said, “And because of you being healed by Anna’s energy, the Volarkians are going to want to dissect and examine you.”
Silverskin said, “Let me guess. You two are dating.”
Jim answered, “Yeah, we are.”
Silverskin said, “Your kids are probably going to be some of the most powerful Protaru to have ever existed.”
BladeFist replied, “We can let the Volarkian horde get either of you.”
“I can handle my own.”
“The future of the cosmos hangs in the balance,” said Silverskin.
“Dad, don’t you think you are exaggerating?” asked Randy.
“No. Why do you think we are going back to New Laveria?”
“We are what?”
“I have orders from the Moaru of New Laveria to escort Anna Harkavy and Benai Attenu Dusai to The Protaru barracks.”
“We are being benched?”
“Yes,” said Silverskin.
“This whomps.”
“I have my orders.”
“Dad, do something,” answered Jim.
“Orders are orders.”
The hovertank stopped. They were now at the Natonia spaceport.
“Well, it was nice seeing you cuz,” said Benji.
“Where do you think you are going?” asked Silverskin
“Back to Natonia.”
“Wrong, you are coming with us.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I don’t answer to you.”
Silverskin pressed a button on his gauntlet. A holographic display appeared over Silverskin’s hand.
“This is an executive order from your Moaru allowing my city to enlist you in our forces.”
“I am just support. I don’t even have offensive powers.”
“What do you think we need you for?”
“I am replacing Anna.”
“Correct!”
“Okay. I need to pack.”
“Your belongings are being shipped.”
“Okay.”
Jim had a heightened sense of calm, like an athlete before a playoff game. He now knew what the stakes were. He understood the importance of Anna’s safety. He would not fail to protect her. He would honor his title. Life would make him a Protaru.
Jim and Anna walked with others. Jim saw the ship that they were returning to New Laveria. They were not on a civilian ship this time. It was military issued, straight off the docks of Hevaria. Anna fell to the ground.
“Babe! Are you okay?” asked Jim.
“I think I sprained my ankle.”
Jim picked her up and carried her in his arms into the spaceport. Walking past the concourse, Jim held Anna as he traversed the spaceship docks. Ten Protaru escorted Jim and Anna, all wearing standard body armor. Five were in front, one was on each side, and three were at the rear. New Laveria was not messing around. They were VIPs cherished like gold or sapphire.
“How much further?” asked Anna.
“Why?” asked Jim.
“My butt is hurting.”
“We are almost there.”
“Okay, honey.”
Jim carried Anna onto the spaceship. He placed her on a let out couch. The room on the ship was by a window. Jim could see the spaceport outside, with ships taking off in the distance. Metal vents clustered the ceiling the color of bronze olympic medals. The walls of the room were the color of a cherry pit. It was a room that looked like a part of an industrial power plant.
“Benji, can you heal her?”
“Sure thing.”
“I can’t do it myself,” said Anna.
Benji placed his glowing hands over her sprains.
“Healing is happening.”
Within a few minutes, the inflammation had been reduced.
“See? All better.”
Bladefist and the others came on board
Randy’s dad spoke into his Gauntlet.
“We are all on board. Let’s depart.”
The pilot answered, “Hear you loud and clear, Silverskin.”
Jim was right beside Anna. He grabbed her hand.
“I am right here, Jim.”
“I know.”
“I am not going anywhere.”
“It is, just, I thought I lost you.”
“You didn’t.”
“You saved me.”
“Then, you saved me.”
“I guess we are even.”
“Even Steven.”
The spacecraft undocked from the docking claws.
“And here we go,” said Silverskin.
“What about my dad?” asked Helena.
“He will be notified when he gets out of the meeting,” said BladeFist.
“Okay.”
Jim saw the colony of Natonia disappear in the distance. They were returning home. He would soon be back in his shoe box of a room. He looked at his chest. He was fully healed. He was thankful to be alive.
Thankful to be with the woman he loved.
Anna Harkavy.
His sunrise on the darkest day.
He was blessed for his life. Anna was asleep, so he lied beside her. He tried to stand guard. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe. She was his world. His mundao. He was not going to let anything happen to her on his watch.
Staring off into space, he was ready to get back to his home colony.
“What’s on your mind, son?”
“How did the Volarkians know exactly where we would be?” asked Jim.
“I don’t know. What are you thinking?”
“I think we have a traitor in our mist.”
“Your logic is sound.”
“I agree.”
“You and Anna are our trump cards. You are all that is important.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“I want to make sure you are going to be okay.”
“I will be.”
“I mean it. I am not going to be around forever.”
“I am going to be fine.”
“I believe you.”
“What are we going to be doing once we get home?”
“Training with advanced energy techniques.”
“Advanced energy techniques?”
“Yeah, Son.”
“I am ready.”
“Really?”
“Bring it on.”
“I will leave you with your partner.”
“Okay.”
Jim sat in the chair beside the couch. All he could see was empty space. A lot of it. He had a lot on his mind. The Volarkians wanted his girlfriend. He had developed new powers; Anna was an ability enhancer. All this new information blew his mind. He was still processing all this new input. It was fascinating, his mind and body felt like it was hit by a gust of wind on a cold winter night.
Benji came over.
“How are you doing, cuzzo?” asked Benji.
“I am still going through the new normal.”
“Which is?”
“Anna has powers and is the key to the outcome of the war.”
“Yeah. That kind of blew my mind as well.”
“I have to protect her. I have to make sure she is safe.”
“You are her boyfriend. Of course you do.”
“If the Volarkians get their hands on her, it’s game over for the universe.”
“True. True.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I do?”
“You are going to defend Anna with your dying breath.”
“Wow. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“I have a way with words.”
“Don’t be arrogant.”
“Okay, cuz.”
“I am going to get some sleep.”
“Okay.”
“You should get some too.”
“Okay, man.”
Benji left Jim with his partner. Jim was ready. Whatever the Volarkians had in store, he would be ready. He was a warrior. A defender. A Protaru. He closed his eyes and got some sleep.
